Jutting a harrowing 700 feet above Ireland’s western seaboard are the majestic Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. If castles embody Ireland’s architectural beauty, than the Cliffs certainly speak to its marvelous landscape–luckily, Ireland is one of those rare places on earth where you can get the best of both.
Be sure to go on a clear day, as the view in the mist or rain is not quite as breathtaking. And take note that there is no protection from going to the very edge–so if you’ve got children, you risk them toppling over if you don’t hang onto them tightly. Actually, there are quite a few deaths annually at the Cliffs. Agoraphobics be warned that this will test your fear of heights to the extreme. I curled my fingernails around the very edge as I laid down on my belly (you’ll see lots of people laying prone) and looked straight down to the rocky waters below. My companion, on the other hand, decided that staying 40 feet from the edge suited him just fine. From either vantage point, I can assure you it will be a sight you will not forget.
If you prefer to see them from a safer distance, there are several cruise boats and ferries that circle the Cliffs from the pier at Doolin, the closest town. These typically run from April through October and can be booked in advance of your visit via the web.
If you’re of the bed and breakfast set, 250-year old Gregan’s Castle can offer a luxurious place to stay if you don’t mind spending a few extra pennies. If your pockets are short on change, it’s fine to stay at the appropriately named Cliffs of Moher Hotel for just 60 euros ($83 US). It’s just minutes from it’s famous namesake, and the world renowned Lahinch Golf Course is nearby as well. The good news about staying in Ireland is that they are famous for their comfortable beds no matter where you go. I’ve slept in both a room above an old pub after too much drink, and I’ve snoozed in a relatively fancy hotel–and the beds have been equally cozy.
In February 2007, a visitors center finally opened over a decade after it had been proposed. It is typical of what you’d expect from a tourist center, and you can gain all sorts of vital and interesting info about what you’re seeing. A restaurant, The Long Dock, also opened at the same time. You can sit inside on a blustery day and check out the view through large windows while you’re chugging your pint of Guinness. You can get traditional pub food here, but also some creative and unexpected plates as well. I suggest any of the fish or seafood platters, as they are irresistibly fresh. O’Brien’s tower has been an observation point offering a view from the precipice since the early 1800’s; and the tubular shaped, stone building is an interesting structure to check out.
The best time to visit the Cliffs of Moher is definitely during the spring or fall, when the crowd levels drop. In the summer, you’ll know you’re getting closer to your destination when you see the traffic snaking up to the large parking lot at the site. Bring a light jacket with you, as even on a typically warm day, the winds do whip and it can get chilly. Leave your hat in the car, as it will only be flying off your head.
To see the Cliffs you pay 4 euros (about $5.50 US) per adult and less for children, but they also nail you pretty good at the parking lot, too. So, if you don’t have the 8 euros to spare to sit your car, you could always drop your auto at one of the villages below and trek all the way up. I wouldn’t suggest this for anyone other than those who are sturdy and with good lung capacity, as there are no sherpas to save you if you fail to get to the crest.
Bring a camera, as you are guaranteed postcard quality shots no matter how bad a photographer you are or how cheap the equipment.